Northwest Dive Club

after our second dive we were having BBQ lunch when another group doing a rescue class had a diver have problems and go unconscious, they rescued her to the shore and signalled for help.

We rushed over and EMT's were dispatched.

She was unconscious, not breathing and no pulse.

we did the best we could till EMT got there. I was in rescue breathing and Doug and Another person on chest compressions, Lynne helped clear airway and vomit and manage situation... The O2 kits on site had no ventilation capability, I had to swag O2 and do mouth to mouth like that. everyone did an outstanding job.

felt like eternity till EMT's arrived!

the ambulance left a little bit ago at that point there was still no Pulse or breathing.

Really hope things go well for her.

I don't know who she was.

I'll post more later when I collected thoughts and emotions a little..

Yikes..that is terrible. Great job on the first aid

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Wow, that hit the news fast

Koos, its a good thing you and your crew were there no matter how it turns out. She could not have had a better chance otherwise. I hope in collecting your thoughts the demons do not haunt you guys as they do me. God bless to all those involved and my prayers are with the victim, family and friends.

Despite the fact that things didnt look good for her, I think the rescue attempt was handled very well. Huge appreciation for those who got right in the thick of it. I dont think it could have been a better crowd who happened to be there at the time, in terms of experience, size, and manpower. But what do I know, that was my first time being at one. So from a newbie's perspective, it all seemed to be handled well. I know I learned a lot. It's just sad that it had to come at someone else's expense =/

Wow... Kudos to all who jumped in, and thoughts and prayers are with the victim and those who love her.

Wow, The odds couldn't have been more in her favor. A member of a rescue class, Having the whole GUE crowd there including an emergency room doctor? We all know she got all the best help available at a fairly remote site. Sure hope they were able to restart her but it doesn't sound good.

All you guys that were there, You did everything possible. We can only hope and prey for a miracle.

Thanks for being there guys.

Just wanted to add that, according to information we got, the victim was never underwater. She became unwell on the surface and was towed to shore. It was amazing how quickly and effectively the shore group responded, and it was absolutely amazing that we had THREE O2 kits, including two with ambu bags, among us. Having the manpower to help carry her up the paths to the ambulance was wonderful, too.

We did see a Lifeflight helicopter which appeared to be headed for Whidbey General an hour or so later, so I'm hoping that means she came back enough to be sent to Seattle.

The rescue class sure got more than they bargained for. Then again they got to see how it really goes in a real emergency. Only most aren't lucky to have all you highly trained and experienced people around like that.

Thanks again for the amazing work you guys did.

I can't imagine being in a rescue course and having this happen to someone that you'd been sitting through the lectures with. I know its bad enough as a bystander or someone involved in the rescue, but I can't imagine what its like for the students and instructor in the course. I hope they restarted her and she caught a ticket on that helicopter ride and pulls through for her and her families sake...

Ginormous kudos to everyone who stepped in, especially to Koos, Doug, and Lynne, for not only handling things in a highly professional manner but for demonstrating a level of caring that often is forgotten in stress-filled situations like this one.

You guys rock. Thanks for what you did today.
Laurynn

lamont wrote:I can't imagine being in a rescue course and having this happen to someone that you'd been sitting through the lectures with. I know its bad enough as a bystander or someone involved in the rescue, but I can't imagine what its like for the students and instructor in the course. I hope they restarted her and she caught a ticket on that helicopter ride and pulls through for her and her families sake...

Completely agree! It was heart wrenching, after its all said and done, step back and see the significant others and her close friends/dive buddies stand there with blank stares and teary eyes as the paramedics took over. I cant imagine their state of mind and emotions.

I really really really wish the best for her, her family and friends and cannot imagine the trauma they have experienced and what they are going through tonight as we all are back in our cushy homes.

We did what any reasonable "rescue" trained person on this board would have done for a fellow diver and as so many have done before us.

I don't know the diver involved in the accident, but thank you all very much for your selfless action.
You came to "my" island to dive and bbq and ended up hopefully saving a life.
THANK YOU !!!

We will probably never know. Hospitals are pretty tight lipped now days and the news people don't tend to do follow ups.

The northwest diving community is not so big... hopefully someone will update the folks who did their best to help out in a dire situation as it helps bring closure.

Best case the medivac was for her and she'll be able to thank her rescuers herself down the road.

Diving incidents break my heart, for the victim, their loved ones, the instructor, co-students and the rescuers. No one should have to go through that.

I am really proud of the way the team managed this incident. Everyone immediately jumped in to help and, more importantly, everyone stuck with their "assigned duty" so to speak. In an incident like this, no job is more important than another - they're all necessary. The job of standing over the gear is just as important as the job of doing CPR. If there is a silver lining to be had, it was the opportunity to work together for a common goal and the recognition of what can be accomplished when you do.

Well said Doug.

Sounder wrote:I am really proud of the way the team managed this incident. Everyone immediately jumped in to help and, more importantly, everyone stuck with their "assigned duty" so to speak. In an incident like this, no job is more important than another - they're all necessary. The job of standing over the gear is just as important as the job of doing CPR. If there is a silver lining to be had, it was the opportunity to work together for a common goal and the recognition of what can be accomplished when you do.

I don't know what to say, except thank you to Doug, Lynne, Koos, and all of the GUE divers for being not only skilled and well-prepared, but wiling to respond. I know it isn't easy. I will echo everyone else that it was an outstanding demonstration of teamwork. Please pass along to the other divers not on this board that I am thinking of them.

there is a little bit more info posted at Scubaboard.

Her name is Deb.
Her dive buddy posted.
She is at HMC, in ICU on ventilator.

ljjames wrote:there is a little bit more info posted at Scubaboard.

The thread on SB is here. If the post is accurate the buddy was from Eastern Washington and the instructor was named Gene.

Thanks Laura, That's good news. At least she is still with us. I prey that she makes a full recovery. As stated earlier our little community is very close knit and we all hurt when one of our kindred is suffering.

To Koo's, Lynn and all the other NWDC members, WAY TO GO! You rock!

To her and all her family, friends and all those in the dive class and the people here who did such a wonderful job, You are in our thoughts and prayers.

She is in HMC in the ICU.

The Family has NOT identified her yet, so I would ask the people here to please refrain from doing so until they family have decided on what they like to do.

I know who she is and have spoken to the dive shop and would appreciate non disclosure of personal information until such a time that the family feels OK to release it.

If you have any specific questions on the event, I'd be happy to oblige through PM. As I am sure Doug and Lynne would be too.

Thoughts go out to her and her family and friends and crossing all my fingers and toes that she pulls through!

I can not say thank you enough to Doug and Lynne and the rest of the crew for the swift response and controlling the situation.

K

A couple of people have stated that this happened during a rescue class, and this was our impressions while responding on site, however I am starting to think that this was a basic OW class. First, all of them were in wetsuits with fairly similar equipment and only gauges, no computers which makes me think rental/class equipment. The dive buddy said it happened during a tow which is done as part of an open water class as well. Finally what clinches it for me was that the buddy posted on SB "My first dive and we never even made it under the water". If anyone else has info/thoughts one way or another please let us know.